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MLB • 12 months ago

2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 San Diego Padres Breakout Candidates

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Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 San Diego Padres Breakout Candidates

PadresHat — Over the winter, the San Diego Padres had one of the most exciting and eventful offseasons of any team in MLB. While they will certainly have a tough road ahead of them playing in the same division as the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, the Padres do appear to be in a better position to contend than they were last year. Breakout performances from the following five players could go a long way in helping San Diego's chances as well.

Over the winter, the San Diego Padres had one of the most exciting and eventful offseasons of any team in MLB. While they will certainly have a tough road ahead of them playing in the same division as the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, the Padres do appear to be in a better position to contend than they were last year. Breakout performances from the following five players could go a long way in helping San Diego's chances as well.

5. Brandon Morrow, RHP

5. Brandon Morrow, RHP

BMorrowCopy — Now 30 years of age, the oft-injured Brandon Morrow came to Spring Training with a chance to compete for the No. 5 starter job. He has only pitched to the tune of a 4.26 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP over his first 12.2 innings of work in the Cactus League, but he still has some lightning-in-a-bottle potential. It should also be noted that he has experience working in relief as well.

Now 30 years of age, the oft-injured Brandon Morrow came to Spring Training with a chance to compete for the No. 5 starter job. He has only pitched to the tune of a 4.26 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP over his first 12.2 innings of work in the Cactus League, but he still has some lightning-in-a-bottle potential. It should also be noted that he has experience working in relief as well.

4. Odrisamer Despaigne, RHP

4. Odrisamer Despaigne, RHP

ODespaigneCopy — Another candidate for the fifth starter spot, Odrisamer Despaigne was quite solid over 96.1 innings of work with the Padres last season. Over his first 17 innings of work in the Cactus League this spring, he has pitched to the tune of a 2.12 ERA -- albeit with a rather inflated WHIP of 1.59. The soon-to-be 28 year old may be primed to be yet another solid arm out of manager Bud Black's rotation.

Another candidate for the fifth starter spot, Odrisamer Despaigne was quite solid over 96.1 innings of work with the Padres last season. Over his first 17 innings of work in the Cactus League this spring, he has pitched to the tune of a 2.12 ERA -- albeit with a rather inflated WHIP of 1.59. The soon-to-be 28 year old may be primed to be yet another solid arm out of manager Bud Black's rotation.

3. Jedd Gyorko, 2B

3. Jedd Gyorko, 2B

JeddGCopy — After having a solid 2013 campaign in which he hit 23 home runs and finished sixth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, second baseman Jedd Gyorko regressed to a .210/.280/.333 slash line over 111 games last season. Still only 26 years of age, he should have plenty of breakout potential, and it would hardly be shocking to see him get back on track this year.

After having a solid 2013 campaign in which he hit 23 home runs and finished sixth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, second baseman Jedd Gyorko regressed to a .210/.280/.333 slash line over 111 games last season. Still only 26 years of age, he should have plenty of breakout potential, and it would hardly be shocking to see him get back on track this year.

2. Will Middlebrooks, 3B

2. Will Middlebrooks, 3B

WMiddleBrookscopy — Once a highly-touted prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization, third baseman Will Middlebrooks had a solid rookie season back in 2012, but he has struggled to find consistency over the past two years. Now in San Diego, perhaps a change of scenery will be beneficial for the 26-year-old.

Once a highly-touted prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization, third baseman Will Middlebrooks had a solid rookie season back in 2012, but he has struggled to find consistency over the past two years. Now in San Diego, perhaps a change of scenery will be beneficial for the 26-year-old.

1. Wil Myers, OF

1. Wil Myers, OF

WMyersCopy — In 2013, Wil Myers put together a great partial season for the Tampa Bay Rays and took home the AL Rookie of the Year honors, but last year he regressed to a .222/.294/.320 triple-slash. Still only 24 years of age, Myers has still most likely not even scratched the surface of how good he can be. Just three years ago, he slugged 37 homers across two levels in the minor leagues, so look for some of that pop to show up in San Diego.

In 2013, Wil Myers put together a great partial season for the Tampa Bay Rays and took home the AL Rookie of the Year honors, but last year he regressed to a .222/.294/.320 triple-slash. Still only 24 years of age, Myers has still most likely not even scratched the surface of how good he can be. Just three years ago, he slugged 37 homers across two levels in the minor leagues, so look for some of that pop to show up in San Diego.

Brad Faber is a Senior Writer and Sabermetrics Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.

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Brad Faber is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.

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